Isolation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella strains in samples of animal products sold in São Luís-Maranhão

Abstract

Food in accordance with hygienic-sanitary standards has become one of the most important conditions for the maintenance and promotion of human health. Thus, the food safety factor has become an increasingly basic issue in strategic decisions, being essential for the development of systems that maintain the health of the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate E. coli, S. aureus and Salmonella in samples of animal products commercialized in São Luís.  A total of 213 samples of animal products were acquired and analyzed, from June 2021 to June 2022, divided into samples of sun-dried meat, chicken, ground meat, fish and cheese, obtained from general commerce in São Luís and transported to the Research Laboratory for Food and Water Quality Control at UEMA. Traditional microbiological analyses were performed to search for E. coli, S. aureus and Salmonella sp. With the data presented in this study, it was possible to verify a high percentage of contamination by S. aureus (60.47%) and for E. coli (40.70%) in the analyzed samples. Salmonella was also found in two samples of chicken and three fish from fairs and public markets totaling 4.65%, showing the need to adopt good hygiene practices in the production, handling, conservation and transport of food of animal origin.